Mop, mop element, and mop element assembly

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/532,952, filed Jan. 11, 1996.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates in general to mops. More particularly, theinvention pertains to mops having a shaft, a mop element, and anoperating member that supports a portion of the mop element and that ismovable with respect to the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Conventional mops include an elongate shaft having a mop elementat one end of the shaft and an operator gripping portion at the otherend of the shaft. In some commercially available mops, the mop elementmay be twisted around the shaft to thereby wring from the mop elementthe liquid which has been absorbed during use of the mop. Such mops areknown in the art as “twist mops.”

[0004] One problem associated with prior art twist mops is that aconsiderable amount of strength is required to hold the mop parts in awringing position and to apply the force necessary to expel the absorbedliquid from the mop element. This is particularly true when the mopelement must be twisted through a large overall angle of rotation. Theprior art has addressed this problem by utilizing a mop element havingrelatively short liquid absorbing ropes in an effort to reduce theoverall angle of rotation. However, the use of such relatively shortstrands results in the mop element having a relatively small surfacearea. This is undesirable, inasmuch as the area of contact between themop element and the surface to be mopped is thereby reduced.

[0005] It is a general object of the invention to provide a mop thatovercomes the shortfalls inherent in prior art mops. Another object ofthe invention is to provide a twist mop having an operating member thatmay be advanced for wringing in small angular increments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a mop having an elongate shaft, a mopelement, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portionof the shaft over a range of travel between and a latch position and arange of mopping positions. One portion of the mop element is retainedin a fixed position at one end of the shaft, and another portion of themop element is retained at one end of the operating member. Inaccordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism foraxially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latchmechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion, one of whichportions is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other of which ismounted on the operating member. In accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention, the detent portion of the latch mechanismcomprises a pair of opposing jaws, which are fixed with respect to theshaft. In this embodiment, the shoulder portion is mounted at one end ofthe operating member. The operating member is retained in the latchposition when the shoulder and detent are in an operative relationship.

[0007] Preferably, the operating member is relatively rotatable withrespect to the shaft. The portion of the mop element that is retained atthe operating member will be carried with the operating member, and thuswill rotate with respect to the shaft when the operating member isrotated. Thus, upon twisting of the operating member, the mop elementwill twist with respect to the shaft, and wringing of the mop elementwill be effected thereby. Most preferably, the mop includes a ratchetdevice to releasably restrict relative rotation of the shaft andoperating member to one direction of rotation. In accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, a ratchet wheel is disposed at the shoulderof the operating member and the detent has two jaws. At least one of thejaws of the detent portion includes a multitoothed pawl for engaging aportion of the ratchet wheel to thereby permit only unidirectionalrotation of the operating member relative to the mop shaft. In thisembodiment, advancement of the operating member in limited angularincrements relative to the shaft is thereby permitted.

[0008] In a highly preferred embodiment, of the invention, a mop elementassembly including the mop element and one or more button operableconnectors is provided. For example, one end of the mop element may besupported by a button operable shaft connector that is releasablyconnectable to and supported by the shaft. Another end of the mopelement may be supported by a button operable operating member connectorthat is releasably connectable to and supported by the operating member.When it is desired to clean or replace the mop element, the buttonoperable connectors may be quickly released to thereby allow disassemblyof the mop element from the shaft and from the operating member. Thebutton operable connectors also allow the mop to be quickly reassembledafter cleaning or replacement of the mop element assembly. A mop, a mopelement assembly each being new and unobvious and methods of forming andoperating mop apparatus, fall within the scope of the presentspecification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a twist mop in accordance withone embodiment of the invention, illustrating the tubular operatingmember in a fully extended mopping position.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the twist mop shown in FIG. 1,illustrating the tubular operating member in the latch position.

[0011]FIG. 2A is an elevational, partially cut away view of the twistmop shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the ropes spread to show the mechanismwith clarity.

[0012]FIG. 3 is an elevational, partially cut away view of the housingof the detent portion of the latch mechanism of the mop shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side elevational, partially cut away view of thedetent portion of the latch mechanism of the mop shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a partially plan, partially cross-sectional view takenalong line 5-5 in FIG. 2, illustrating the latch mechanism of the mopshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015]FIG. 5A is like FIG. 5, but shows the latch mechanism in theunlatched position.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the latch mechanism shown inFIG. 5.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the operating member,including the operating member connector, of the mop shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the mop shown in FIGS. 1 and2 taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft connectorillustrated in the mop shown in FIG. 8, shown prior to the assembly ofthe connector with the mop element and the shaft of the mop.

[0020]FIG. 10 is an elevational, partially cut away view of the mop asshown in FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 11 is elevational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 2,illustrating the mop element in a twisted condition.

[0022]FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the operating memberconnector and the mop element.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the operating memberconnector taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 7.

[0024]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the mop element assembly of theinvention with the shaft connector 14 shown in broken lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] The preferred embodiment of the invention is a twist mop. Withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the twist mop 10 includes an elongate shaft11 having an operator end 12 and a mop element end 14. A hand grip 15 isdisposed near the operating end 12 of the shaft, and a hanging loop 16is disposed at the operator end 12. The twist mop 10 further includes amop element 17, a portion of which is attached to the mop element end 14of the shaft 11. (See FIG. 14).

[0026] In accordance with the invention, another portion of the mopelement 17 is connected to an operating member 20, which is axiallymovable with respect to the shaft 11. Preferably, the operating member20 is axially movable between a range of mopping positions, one of whichis illustrated in FIG. 1, and a latch position, as illustrated in FIG.2. The operating member 20 has a hand grip surface 21 to permit a userto adjust the axial position of the operating member 20.

[0027] In accordance with the invention, the twist mop 10 includes alatch mechanism for retaining the operating member 20 in the latchposition. Preferably, the latch mechanism comprises a shoulder portion,or shoulder 24 and a detent portion 25 within housing 28 (See FIGS.3-6). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, the shoulder 24 is disposed onthe operator end 23 of the operating member 20. The shoulder 24preferably is integral with the operating member 20, and includes acentral bore through which passes the shaft 11.

[0028] As best shown in FIG. 5, the detent portion 25 comprises portionsof a pair of opposing caliper jaws 26, 27 which are pivotally connectedto one another and to a housing 28 and 4 by a pivot rod 30. (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the jaws 26, 27include a detent 31, 32 respectively for engaging the shoulder 24 whenthe operating member 20 is in the latch position. As shown in FIG. 5Arespective end portions of the jaws 26, 27 form tabs 34, 35, which areadapted to be manually squeezed together to release the shoulder 24 fromengagement within the detent portion 25. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, thepivot rod 30 is secured to the housing 28 between mating housingelements 36, 37 with portions of the rod 30 extending into blind holes38, 40 formed in the housing elements 36, 37. The jaws are spring-loadedinto the retaining position shown in FIG. 5 by a resilient coil spring42 which is compressed between the ends of a pair of opposing blindholes 44, 45 in the jaws 26, 32.

[0029] The housing preferably is affixed to the shaft 11 between theends of the shaft 11. As best shown in FIG. 3, the housing elements 36,37 include aligned, centrally located holes 46, 47 therein to receive afastening rivet (not shown in FIG. 3), which extends through the holesand through a corresponding bore in the shaft 11. As illustrated in FIG.1, the housing elements preferably further include aligned openings 49,50 for receiving a pair of fastening rivets 51, 52 to connect thehousing elements to one another.

[0030] The shoulder 24 terminates at a frustoconical ramp surface 55. Asshown in FIG. 6, the terminal surfaces of the detents 31, 32 are taperedinwardly to provide ramp surfaces 56,58. When the operating member 20 isbrought to bear against the detents 31, 32 the frustoconical rampsurface 55 engages the ramp surfaces 56, 58 to thereby spread the jaws26, 27 as shown in FIG. 5A and to admit the shoulder 24. After theshoulder 24 has passed beyond the detents 31, 32 the spring-biased jaws26, 27 return to the retaining position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus,the operating member 20 will be retained axially in the latch positionby the latch mechanism. To release the operating member 20, the twistmop 10 is held with the operator end above the mop element end, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. The tabs 34, 35 may then be squeezed together tothereby release the latch mechanism. The operating member 20 andassociated portion of the mop element 17 will be permitted to drop to amopping position under the force of gravity or with operator assistance.

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, theshaft has a circular cross-section, and the operating member is tubularand rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the twist mopincludes a ratchet device for releasably restricting relative rotationof the shaft and operating member. The ratchet device comprises aratchet wheel and a pawl, one of which is disposed on the operatingmember and one of which is disposed on the shaft. As shown in FIGS. 1,2, and 5, the ratchet device of the preferred embodiment of theinvention comprises a ratchet wheel and a pawl, one of which is disposedon the shaft 11 and one of which is disposed on the operating member 20.Preferably, the ratchet wheel 60 is disposed on a portion of theshoulder 24 of the operating member 20, as shown, for example, in FIGS.1, 5, and 6. The ratchet includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 61. Asshown in FIG. 5, a multitoothed pawl 62 is provided on at least one ofthe jaws 26 of the detent portion 25 of the latch mechanism. Preferably,the inner surface 64 of the other jaw is smooth. In this embodiment ofthe invention, the ratchet wheel 60 engages the pawl 62 of the jaw 26when the operating member 20 is in the latch position, as shown in FIG.5. The operating member 20 may then be rotated only in one direction ofrotation, and will not be susceptible to torsional forces generatedwithin the mop element that would urge rotation in the oppositedirection. The operating member 20 thus may be rotated in small angularincrements and released between increments, thereby allowing facilewringing of the mop element.

[0032] The mop element may comprise any wringable liquid absorbingmaterial. For example, the mop element may comprise a plurality ofliquid absorbent fiber ropes (sometimes referred to as “strings”), ormay comprise a plurality of absorbent material strips. In accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.2A, the mop element 17 has a first end 66 supported by the operatingmember 20, a second end 67 supported by the shaft 11, and an elongateintermediate portion 68. The intermediate portion 68 includes aplurality of ropes 70 of sufficient length to define a bight 71 thatextends from the first end 66 and terminates in a reentrant portion atthe second end 67. When the twist mop 10 is in a mopping position, suchas, for example, the position shown in FIG. 1, the bight 71 comprises amopping portion.

[0033] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 14, a mop element assembly 72comprises the mop element 17 and one or both of an operating memberconnector 73 and a shaft connector 74 (shown in phantom lines in FIG.14). Preferably, the first end 66 of the mop element 17 is secured tothe operating member connector 73, and the second end 67 is secured tothe shaft connector 74. The operating member connector 73 is releasablyconnectable to the operating member (not shown in FIG. 14), and theshaft connector 74 is releasably connectable to the shaft 11 (not shownin FIG. 14).

[0034] Most preferably, the mop element 17 comprises an interconnectedplurality of flexible ropes 70, each of which comprises an interwovenset of spun fibrous liquid absorbent strands. As shown in FIG. 12, arope 76 comprises two pairs of strands 77, 78, each of which extendsfrom a first end 80 of the rope 76, through an intermediate portion 81of the rope 76 and to a loop 83 at a second end 84 of the rope 76. Onepair of strands 77, 78 pass around a tie 85 to form the loop and thenbecome the second of the pair of strands 77, 78. Returning from theloop, the strands 77, 78 further extend back through the intermediateportion 81 and to the first end 80 of the rope 76. The tie 85 securesthe loop 83 to a portion of the mop 10, for example, a connector (shownin the illustrated embodiment as the operating member connector 73) atthe second end of the rope. The strands then continue to form the otherropes of the mop element (not shown in FIG. 12). Further details aboutthe mop element may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,717,616; 4,790,603; and4,790,604 (Harmon et al.). Preferably, the first end 80 of the rope isdisposed at and supported by the shaft connector 74 (not shown in FIG.12), and the second end 84 having the loop 83 is disposed at andsupported by the operating member connector 73; however, the ends may beinterchanged if desired.

[0035] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the shaft connector 74. The shaft connector74 comprises a unitary elongate body 88 having a flexible bight portion90. As shown in FIG. 9, the body comprises a first end portion 91, asecond end portion 92, and means for retaining the first and second endportions 91, 92 in a side-by-side relationship. When the end portions91, 92 are so retained, the bight portion 90 forms a strap 94 forretaining a portion of the mop element 17, as shown in FIG. 10. Anysuitable means for retaining the end positions 91, 92 in a side-by-siderelationship may be employed. For example, the first end portion 91 mayinclude a hole 94 for receiving and retaining a pin 95 extending fromthe second end portion. Preferably, the second end portion 92 alsoincludes a hole 97 for receiving a second pin 99 extending from thefirst end portion 91. Most preferably, the second end portion 92includes a flexible surface 98 having a button 100 disposed thereon.Flexibility may be enhanced by providing slots 99 in the end portion 98.As shown in FIG. 2A, the button 100 is received by an aperture 101 inthe shaft 11 of the mop, whereby the shaft connector 74 is retainedpreventing axial or rotational movement within the shaft 11. To releasethe shaft connector 74 from the shaft 11, a user depresses the button100 and separates the shaft connector 74 from the shaft 11. The shaftconnector 74 preferably includes a flange portion 103 that prevents theoperating member 20 from passing beyond the mop element end 14 of themop 10.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 10, the twist mop 10 preferably includesa binder 102 retaining together portions 104, 105 of the mop element 17,thus forming a tuft 107 at the mop element end 14 of the twist mop 10.The tuft 107 may be employed, for example, when the operating member isin the latch position in cleaning a narrow space or a high surface. Inaddition, the tuft 107 impedes the shaft connector 74 from contacting,and thus possibly scratching or damaging, a mopped surface.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and 13, the operating memberconnector 73 comprises a unitary body having an interior cylindricalportion 109 sized to fit within the operating member 20 and an exteriorbell portion 110 that extends beyond the operating member 20 when theconnector 73 is assembled with the operating member 20. The operatingmember connector 73 further includes means for securing the mop element17 to the bell portion 110, which means preferably comprises the tie 85.(See FIG. 12) The mop element end ill of the operating member connector73 is flared to retain the tie 85.

[0038] Friction between the tie 85 and operating member connector 73will impede relative rotation of the mop element 17 and connector 73.Preferably, the operating member connector 73 further includesadditional means for restraining relative rotation of the mop elementwith respect to the operating member. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the operating member connector may include a plurality ofnotches 112 that are disposed on the exterior portion 110 and thatextend radially away from the shaft 11 of the mop 10. At least some ofthe ropes are retained by the notches 112, whereby the ropes, and hencethe mop element 17, are restricted from rotating with respect to theoperating member.

[0039] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, asurface 114 of the operating member connector 73 is flexible, andincludes a button 115. The operating member 20 includes an aperture 116(best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) for receiving the button 115 when theconnector 73 is assembled with the operating member 20, and forretaining the connector 73 from axial or rotational movement within theoperating member 20. To release the operating member from the connector,a user depresses the button 115 and separates the operating memberconnector 73 from the operating member 20. The shaft connector shouldfirst be removed from the shaft, and the operating member then moved farenough towards the mop element end 14 of the shaft 11 such thatclearance of the shaft 11 beneath the button 115 is provided.

[0040] In use, the operating member 20 may be placed in a moppingposition, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. When it is desired to wringliquid from the mop element 17, the operating member is moved to thelatch position, where it is retained by the latch mechanism. Theoperating member 20 is then rotated with respect to the shaft 11. Atwist will thereby be imparted to the mop element 17, as shown in FIG.11, thus causing liquid to be expelled from the mop element and may beadvanced in increments. The operating member 20 need not be advancedthrough a large angle of rotation to effect wringing of the mop element.After wringing, the latch mechanism is released by squeezing togetherthe tabs 34, 35. Torsional forces generated within the mop element willcause the mop element to return to an untwisted position with respect tothe shaft, and the operating member will return to a mopping position.Either untwisting or return to a mopping position may be assistedmanually.

[0041] Alternatively, the mop 10 may be used when the operating member20 is in the latch position, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, when inthis position, the mop 10 may be used for mopping or dusting in narrowor high places. The tuft 107 prevents any portion of the twist mop 10other than the mop element 17 from contacting the mopped surface.Preferably, the twist mop 10 is stored when the operating member 20 isin the latch position.

[0042] Thus, it is seen that the foregoing general object has beensatisfied. A twist mop prepared in accordance with the invention may beeasily wrung by an operator, and need not be rotated through a largeangle of rotation. Moreover, the rotation of the operating member may beadvanced in small angular increments, and the ratchet device and latchwill prevent the operating member from rotating in a direction oppositethe desired direction of rotation or in slipping to an operatingposition and relieve the wringing forces. Thus, the exertion of a greatamount of strength is not required to wring the mop. In addition, theropes of the mop element may be prepared in sufficient length to providea satisfactory mop element area.

[0043] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, itwill of course be understood that the invention is not limited theretosince modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore,contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications asincorporate those features which constitute the essential features ofthese improvements within the true spirit and scope of the invention.All references and previous applications cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mop comprising: (a) an elongate shaft having anoperator end and a mop element end; (b) an operating member mounted inan axially movable relationship to said shaft between a latch positionand a range of mopping positions; (c) a mop element of absorbent mopmaterial supported by said operating member and the mop element end ofsaid shaft and extending therebetween; and (d) a latch mechanismincluding a shoulder portion and a detent portion, one of said mechanismportions being supported on said shaft between said ends and the otherbeing supported on said operating member; (e) said operating memberbeing restrained in said latch position when said shoulder and saiddetent are in an operative relationship.
 2. The mop of claim 1 whereinsaid operating member is tubular, said shaft is coaxially movable withinsaid operating member, and said operating member is retracted over aportion of said shaft when in the latch position.
 3. The mop of claim 2wherein said shaft is round and said operating member is tubular and isrelatively rotatable with respect to said shaft.
 4. The mop of claim 3wherein said shoulder portion is supported on said operating member andsaid detent portion is supported on said shaft.
 5. The mop of claim 3including a ratchet device having a ratchet wheel portion and a pawlportion to releasably restrict relative rotation of said shaft and saidoperating member, one of said device portions being supported on saidshaft between said ends and the other of said portions being supportedon said operating member.
 6. The mop of claim 3 including a ratchetdevice having a ratchet wheel portion supported on said operating memberand a pawl portion being supported on said shaft, said ratchet devicereleasably restricting relative rotation of said shaft and saidoperating member to one direction.
 7. The mop of claim 3 including aratchet device having a ratchet wheel portion and a pawl portion toreleasably restrict relative rotation of said shaft and said supportingmember, each of said device portions being operatively connected to oneof said latch mechanism portions.
 8. The mop of claim 3 including aratchet device having a ratchet wheel portion and a pawl portion, saidratchet wheel portion being operatively connected and moving with saidshoulder portion and said pawl portion being operatively connected toand moving with said detent portion.
 9. The mop of claim 8 including ahousing secured to said shaft, said pawl portion and said detent portionsupported in said housing and movable to and from the operativerelationship with said ratchet wheel portion and said shoulder portion,respectively.
 10. The mop of claim 9 including a resilient memberyieldably urging said pawl portion and said detent portion toward theoperative relationship.
 11. The mop of claim 1 wherein said mop elementis elongate, has a first end supported by said operating member, asecond end supported by said shaft, and an elongate intermediate portionmade up of a plurality of ropes.
 12. The mop of claim 11 wherein saidmop element is a part of a mop element assembly having an operatingmember connector secured to said first end and releasably supported bysaid operating member and a shaft connector secured to said second endand releasably supported by said shaft.
 13. The mop of claim 11 whereinsaid intermediate portion includes a plurality of ropes of sufficientlength to extend from said first end and define a bight portion and areentrant portion terminating at said second end, the bight portioncomprising the mopping portion when said operating member is in amopping position.
 14. The mop of claim 12 wherein said operating memberconnector is releasably retained in said operating member by a resilientbutton extending outwardly through an aperture in said operating memberand said shaft connector is releasably retained in said shaft by aresilient button extending through an aperture in said shaft, saidconnectors being axially removable upon depressing said buttons.
 15. Aconnector for removably supporting a moisture absorbing mop element to ahollow mop shaft, said connector comprising: a unitary elongate bodyhaving a first end portion, a second end portion, and a flexibleelongate bight portion; means for retaining said first end portion andsaid second end portion in a side-by-side assembled relationship withsaid bight portion forming a strap and said end portions forming saidbody; whereby a portion of moisture absorbing mop element may extendthrough said strap when said first and second end portions are assembledin side-by-side relationship; and means for releasably retaining saidassembled unitary body to a mop shaft.
 16. The connector in accordancewith claim 15, wherein said means for retaining said first end portionand said second end portion in side-by-side relationship comprises a pinextending from said first end portion and a hole disposed in said secondend portion for receiving said pin and retaining said first end portionand said second end portion in side-by-side relationship.
 17. Theconnector in accordance with claim 15, wherein said assembled body isslideably receivable within an open end of a hollow mop shaft, andwherein said means for retaining comprises a button for removablyextending into an aperture in a wall of said hollow mop shaft.
 18. A mopelement assembly comprising: a mop element; and the connector of claim15, wherein said first end portion and said second end portion areassembled in side-by-side relationship, wherein a portion of said mopelement extends through said strap.
 19. The mop element assembly ofclaim 18, further including a binder wrapped around a portion of saidmop element to form a tuft in said mop element.
 20. A connector forremovable supporting a mop element to a hollow operating member of amop, the mop having a shaft, the operating member being disposed on saidshaft and axially movable with respect thereto, the connectorcomprising: a tubular body having an interior portion suitablydimensioned to fit within said operating member and an exterior portiondisposed externally of said operating member when said interior portionis disposed within said operating member; means for supporting a mopelement; and means for removably retaining said connector to saidoperating member.
 21. The connector of claim 20, further including meansfor preventing rotation of the mop element with respect to said outertubular member.
 22. The connector of claim 21, wherein said means forpreventing rotation comprises a tie frictionally engaging saidconnector.
 23. The connector of claim 21, wherein said means forpreventing rotation comprises a plurality of notches extending radiallyaway from said connector, said notches engaging said mop element. 24.The connector of claim 20, wherein said means for retaining comprises aflexible button for removably extending into an aperture in a wall ofsaid operating member.
 25. A mop element assembly comprising; theconnector of claim 20; and a mop element of absorbent mop materialsupported thereon.
 26. A mop element assembly for a mop having a hollowmop shaft comprising: a first connector having a unitary body and anelongate bight portion, said first connector including means forremovably retaining said body within such hollow mop shafts; a secondconnector having a tubular portion for fitting around such mop shaft andincluding means for removably retaining said second connector in anaxially movable relationship on said shaft; and a moisture absorbent mopmaterial supported by said bight portion of said first connector andsaid second connector and extending therebetween.
 27. The mop of claim10 wherein said detent portion comprises two arcuate detents in opposedrelationship whereby said shoulder is received therebetween and saiddetents are urged together by said resilient member.
 28. The mop ofclaim 27 including squeezable finger grips operatively connected to saiddetents whereby said detents are movable out of said latch position byovercoming the force of said resilient member.
 29. A mop comprising: (a)an elongate hollow shaft having an operator end and a mop element end;(b) a tubular operating member mounted coaxially over said shaft forrelative rotation and axial movement between a latch position and arange of mopping positions; (c) a mop element of absorbent mop materialsupported by said operating member and the mop element end of said shaftand extending therebetween; (d) a latch mechanism including a shoulderportion on said operating member and a detent portion supported on saidshaft between said ends; (e) said operating member being restrained insaid latch position when said shoulder and said detent are in anoperative relationship; (f) a ratchet device having a ratchet wheelportion supported on said operating member and a pawl portion supportedon said shaft to releasably restrict relative rotation of said shaft andsaid operating member to one direction; (g) a housing secured to saidshaft, said pawl portion and said detent portion supported in saidhousing and movable to and from the operative relationship with saidratchet wheel portion and said shoulder portion, respectively; (h) aresilient member yieldably urging said pawl portion and said detentportion toward the operative relationship, and (i) squeezable fingergrip means operatively connected to said detent portion whereby saiddetent portion is movable out of said latch position by overcoming theforce of said resilient member.
 30. A mop comprising: (a) an elongateshaft having an operator end and a mop element and; (b) an operatingmember mounted in an axially movable relationship to said shaft betweena latch position and a range of mopping positions; (c) an elongate mopelement of absorbent mop material having a first end supported by saidoperating member, a second end supported by said shaft, and an elongateintermediate portion made up of a plurality of ropes of sufficientlength to extend from said first end and define a bight portion and areentrant portion terminating at said second end, the bight portioncomprising the mopping portion when said operating member is in amopping position, said mop element comprising a part of a mop elementassembly having an operating member connector secured to said first endand releasably supported by said operating member and a shaft connectorsecured to said second end and releasably supported by said shaft; (d) alatch mechanism including a shoulder portion and a detent portion, oneof said mechanism portions being supported on said shaft between saidends and the other being supported on said operating member; (e) saidoperating member being restrained in said latch position when saidshoulder and said detent are in an operative relationship.